2 months.

2 months, almost 9 weeks, 61 days, since I held my little soldier tight, whispered I love you and said Goodbye.

The longest Lennon and I had ever been apart was 5 days last summer.

8 weeks seems like a lifetime, although when I think, I potentially another 40 years plus without him, then 8 weeks feels like no time at all.

I am getting up, dressed and out everyday. But the pain is still there, and as deep as it was on that day. It still hits me like a boxing glove to the chest every day when I wake up.

The sympathy cards with all their stories of Lennon and messages of love and sorrow, are still spread around our home. I can’t bring myself to take them down.

Lennon’s bedroom remains more or less untouched. His fishbowl bed still has pride of place in the middle of the room. The medical trolley is still brimming with dressings and medical equipment. His freshly washed clothes on the dresser waiting to be put away in the drawers. All his medical emergency plans and equipment lists still fixed to the backs of doors.

Getting Lennon up and dressed.Lennon emergency medical plans and his school timetable.

I know I need to sort through all of Lennon’s belongings and clothes.

But not yet, not just yet.

Keech Hospice have been amazing. Faye has been a godsend, my fairy godmother. I went to visit the hospice to collect all of Lennon’s belongings and the memory items that the nurses had made.

It felt ‘odd’ not going down to the Meadow Suite to sit with him. I had gotten used to sitting in that room with him. The feeling of coldness, and the sight of the sun’s reflection over the silver plaque on Lennon’s coffin had become so familiar to me in the days before the funeral. Faye made me tea, we shared memories and cried tears over the perfect hand and foot moulds made in the days after Lennon had died.

She took me to the Job Centre for some advice on money. She felt my pain when we left. Not only are the 10 and half years I spent caring for Lennon and working tirelessly as an unqualified HDU nurse to keep my child alive, was not recognised in the eyes of the Department of Work and Pensions, but that there is nothing anyone can do to help us financially until I feel able to return to work after my 11 year hiatus.

We also established between us, that there is no word for a bereaved parent – you lose your partner, your a widow. You lose your parents, your an orphan.

Faye also went the Children’s ward and collected Lennon’s wheelchair for us. It had been abandoned on the ward the day we left for Addenbrookes. Once the DVLA had taken the tax off our motability car we had no way of getting Lennon’s wheelchair back ourselves. Ian was planning on walking it back all the way from Lister. I had told him I thought he would find it too emotional.

Ian and Lennon spent hours aimlessly walking around at the weekends. Lennon loved to be out and about with his Daddy. Walking was their ‘Father Son’ time. Ian missed that fact that he wasn’t a football or rugby dad – I always felt their long walks together was Ian’s way of getting around that.

As well as Lennon’s wheelchair being home, his Ppod chair has taken up residence in our living room – on the insistence of the girls. They both enjoy sitting in it, watching television, and feeling close to their much loved brother. I love that they get comfort from this, but at the same time envious that my bum is not small enough for me to also curl up in the same spot and feel close to Lennon.

Isla has adopted Lennon’s PPod chair.Comfy!

And that’s what I find myself doing most days – thinking of ways in which I can feel closer to him.

I bath instead of shower. Lennon loved a bath. I sit outside, close my eyes and embrace the wind on my face. I watch episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba. I spend hours looking through photos and videos of Lennon. I have even contemplated jumping on a train and visiting Great Ormond St.

Lennon, Isla, Florence – My world.

Memories are lovely, but sometimes they are not enough. Sometimes I find myself wanting more than just memories.

Like this:

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18 thoughts on “2 months.”

This is the first post I’ve ever read of yours and I’m now going back through to read Lennons’ story. I have no words for you and there is nothing I can say that will make you feel any better but I didn’t want to read and leave the page without letting you know I am sending all of the love in the world to you and your family.

I cannot even begin to imagine how you are feeling. There are no words to console you. Just know that Lennon is everywhere. He will never leave you because he is a huge part of your family and always will be. Feel your grief. Don’t be ashamed of it. Don’t listen to people who tell you how you should feel. They’ve never had to experience anything like it. However you feel in any given moment is fine, it’s what you need at that time. Squeeze those gorgeous girls of yours and remember that Lennon is a huge part of them too. As for the bureaucratic rubbish you’ve already been put through. I’m at a loss for words. Seems incomprehensible that there isn’t a little more compassion when you’ve lost your child. And so wildly unfair that they don’t help with some transition period to help ease you back into ‘the world’ rather than throwing you at speed nefore you’re ready. Especially when there are so many out there who play the system unfairly to their advantage. It’s always the decent families who get trodden on. Massive hugs to you and your lovely family xxx

I have no words to express that can ease your pain. I am new to your blog, so I will read more about Lennon, your family. I cannot imagine your pain. You have my sincerest sympathies. I wish great healing for you and your family. You have so much strength. #fortheloveofBLOG xoxo

I don’t think I have sufficient words to say how sorry I am to hear the pain you are in. It’s unimaginable and to tell your story so eloquently is absolutely remarkable. I cannot believe that there isn’t the support out there for you that you need right now in terms of work – it really highlights how little personal circumstances are taken into consideration. I really do wish you all the best and hope that you get the support and understanding that you need. #dreamteam

I am new to your blog, at first I wondered who you were talking about and then it became clear that your little solider is Lennon, your beautiful son. I know I have no words that could bring you any comfort, but please know that my heart goes out to you and your family. I will read more about him as he sounds so amazing and I can tell he was so loved. I don’t know your beliefs, but I will say a prayer for him and for you. Sending all the love I can from Australia xx Thank you for sharing this with #ablogginggoodtime

This is the first of your posts that I’ve read and my heart is literally aching for you as my eyes are filled with tears. I can’t put into words how sorry I am for your loss and I can only reach out to you with words and send my thoughts and my love to you. I hope that your most precious memories bring you some comfort and I sincerely thank you for sharing this incredibly brave piece with us at #DreamTeam. Dawn x

Wow what a powerful post, this is the first one of yours I have read. I can not even begin to imagine what you and your family are going through, your post is beautiful. I am sending you our thoughts and love in this tough time #tacticaltuesdays

What a brave and beautiful post. There are no words, really, that can bring you comfort but I want to thank you for having the courage to share this. I was in tears reading it. I am new to your blog and will certainly be reading more about your little Lennon. Sending you all my love and thoughts. Thank you for linking this up with #TacticalTuesdays. xxx